The National Office for Child Safety (NOCS) is to develop new resources to support implementation of the National Principles for Child Safe Organisations.
The Office is to develop the resources in partnerships, working with the Secretariat of National Aboriginal and Islander Child Care (SNAICC), the Western Australia Commissioner for Children and Young people and the Victorian Aboriginal Child Care Agency (VACCA).
NOCS said the WA Commissioner would develop ‘Children’s Complaint Resources’ to help children and young people understand their right to speak up when they felt unsafe, unhappy or unfairly treated.
“The WA Commissioner will also develop a resource to help adults to talk about the resources with children and young people in their lives, communities and organisations,” the Office said.
“These resources will complement the Complaint Handling Guide: Upholding the Rights of Children and Young People, developed by the NSW Ombudsman, in partnership with NOCS” it said.
“The Commissioner will be consulting extensively on the development of the resources, including engaging directly with children and young people.”
NOCS said it and SNAICC would work closely with VACCA to develop resources to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations and communities to implement the National Principles in a way that was culturally safe and relevant.
“SNAICC and VACCA will be consulting with a wide range of communities and experts, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peak bodies and organisations, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people themselves,” it said.
NOCS said the ‘Children’s Complaint Resources’ were expected to be delivered by the end of the year and the ‘Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Resources’ in early 2021.
